Monet paintings hold clues to Victorian-era pollution: researchers

Nineteenth-century Impressionist paintings by Claude Monet may serve as historical weather records for London's infamous "great fogs", according to a new study.

Researchers from the University of Birmingham analysed a series of Monet's paintings during the painter's visits to London between 1899 and 1901.

According to the research, the paintings were created from a vantage point on the second floor terrace of St. Thomas's Hospital.

The researchers measured roofline features of architecture featured in the paintings, including the Houses of Parliament. Monet paintings featuring those buildings were started in February and March of 1900.

The calculations were then used to determine the positioning of the Sun in the paintings, which led to the exact dates and times of when Monet created them.

Next, the scientists compared the dates and times to weather records for the period Monet spent in London.

The results give an accurate record of Victorian London's urban atmosphere, and shed some light on causes of air pollution at the time, the scientists claim.

The "great fogs" were at their peak during the late 1880's, and gradually declined afterwards, but researchers know little about fogs' origin.

The scientists say further study will help discover particles in the air that may have contributed to the fogs.

The researchers' study was published in the recent edition of Proceedings of the Royal Society.

Photography: iBiblio

Source: Discovery Channel Reports, August 9 edition